Kwamena Duncan, Former Central Regional Minister, has blasted critics over the reappointment of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman as Commanding Officer of the 64 Infantry Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The military officer was assigned the new role after he was relieved of his post at the National Security Ministry over allegations of him and some Police officers physically assaulting Citi FM journalist, Caleb Kudah.
Background
On May 11, 2021, National Security officers detained Caleb Kudah for filming with his smartphone on the premises of the National Security Ministry in Accra.
The operatives also stormed the premises of radio station Citi FM to arrest his colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo for receiving the footage of some abandoned vehicles at the National Security Ministry from Mr. Kudah.
They were both taken to the Ministry where they were interrogated and released.
Mr Kudah, in an interview on Citi TV on May 12, after his release accused the National Security operatives of physically abusing him.
He alleged they slapped and kicked him during his detention at the Ministry.
The Managing Director of the station also confirmed the incident accusing Lt. Col. Agyeman of kicking the jounalist in his groin.
Sanctions
In a statement signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Lt. Col. Ababio Serebour (retd.), the Ministry said it had initiated investigations into the alleged assault.
The Ministry therefore sanctioned the officers after finding them guilty of the act.
It indicated that it had reversed the secondment of Lt. Colonel Agyeman.
Three Police officers involved were also withdrawn and asked to report to the Ghana Police Service for disciplinary action.
“The following actions have thus been taken by the Ministry: The secondment of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman (Director of Operations) at the Ministry has been reversed. The officer is to report to the Chief of Defence Staff for further investigation and appropriate action.
“The three (3) Police officers involved have been withdrawn and are to report to the Ghana Police Service for investigation and disciplinary action”, the Ministry said in a statement signed by the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah.
A report of the committee that investigated the matter “established that the conduct of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman and the officers was inappropriate and contravened the Ministry’s standard operating procedures.”
As part of his sanction, Lt. Col. Agyeman has been transferred to the Armed Forces to head the 64 Infantile Regiment.
Controvesies
Some security analysts and civil society groups have kicked agaisnt the decision.
A Security Analyst named Dr Ismael Norman, in an interview with Joy FM, was alarmed by Lt. Col. Agyeman’s reappointment.
”…I believe it is a bit of an uncomfortable situation right now, but I can also understand why they want to exhaust the due processes under military law and ensure that they come to the same conclusion with National Security, then he will be appropriately punished”, he said.
According to CDD-Ghana, Lt. Col. Frank Agyeman’s reassignment is not an appropriate action.
A Director at CDD-Ghana, Dr. Kojo Asante said; “One will say that intuitively, everybody will expect that at the minimum, some enquiry or investigation would happen first. I mean there was no rush, it is not like the 64 Battalion is going into whatever that needs to be done in 24 hours that you would even put somebody who is under the cloud to be commanding such a position. So, the whole thing is a bit strange.”
Ghanaians Like Talking Too Much
Speaking on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Kwamena Duncan justified Lt. Col Agyeman’s reassignment saying the fact that he has been removed from the National Security Ministry doesn’t mean he should cease to be a soldier.
He pointed out that the Lieutenant Colonel is simply back to lead the 64 Infantry Regiment, a unit he headed prior to the secondment, adding that the military officer has not been promoted either in rank or position.
”Lt. Colonel Agyemang, he is no more seconded to National Security Ministry, it does not mean that he has ceased being a soldier and that, in his mother institution (Armed Forces), he cannot head,” Kwamena Duncan stated.
He blasted Ghanaians for expressing their voices on the issue.
”We have become experts in everything…We talk too much. We like talking too much. Every thing we want to profess on them even when we have no knowledge.”
